LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10124, 6 May 1896, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Owixg to the deat. of Mr?. Stewart Menteath (cousin o* the Countess of Glasgow), His Excell«j C the Governor and the vice-regal partywere unable to ba present at the Choral Soiety's concert iast evening. His Excellency will preside tonight at the meeting of he Church Congress at the Choral Hall. An English mail, via Stez, of Londoi date arch 27, was due .t Sydney oj Friday last. The Auckland jortion of th< mail will probably arrive by tte Tarawera on Monday next.

In conformity with a resolutioi passed b« the Auckland Diocesan Synod h October last, a Diocesan Church Conference was opened at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms last evening, the Most Kev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland and the Primate of New Zealand presiding, and the Bishop of W'eilingtco was also present. The Most Rev. Chairman in his opening address referred to the business to be bro.»bt before the Conference, and the Kev. W. Beatty read a lengthy and exhaustive paper on Church Re-union. A detailed report of the proceedings appears in another column. A rather mean and contemptible robbery was perpetrated at the Seaman's Mission Hall on Thursday evening last. The ladj workers in connection with it are accustomed to give a social to the seamen of the Sailor's Home on Friday evening, and had provided a supply of eatables in readiness for the occasion. During the night a pane of glass was broken, and access obtained to the Hall. After doing full justice to the comestibles, the thieves then proceeded to remove the box on the wail, which is affixed there for subscriptions in aid of the Distressed Seven's Fund, and rifled it of

its contents. The box was subsequently found broken up in an adjacent yard, bud no clue has been obtained to the perpetrators of the outrage.

Inspector Emerson, of Napier, has beet promoted to be a first-class inspector from the Ist instant, and Inspector Hicksnn, of Auckland, from the Ist June, aud Inspector McGovern, of New Plymouth,- from July Ist.

Yesterday morning, a boy, who gars his name as Thomas Su.livan, aged 15, was arrested by Constable Btnton, of Eden Terrace, on a charge of having that morning broken and entered the dwellinp-house of James McNaughton, Symonds-street, and stolen therefrom a quantity of cigars value £4 IS?, tobacco to value of £1 16s, and coppers to amount of is 5Jd. Accused was brought up at ths Police Court, and remanded till the 12th instant. Later on another lad, named Robert David Green, was arrested by Sergeant Kelly, ana will be brougln up and charged jointly with Sullivan. Green was bailed out shortly after his arrest. The demonstrations of cookine by gas are still being continued at the offices of the Auckland Gas Company, and have been largely attended by ladies interested in cooking by gas ranges. These weekly demonstrations are given on Wednesdays from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. In addition, a lady attends daily to explain and show the method of using gas ranges and laundry irons.

! Mesare. J. M. Lennox, Gerhard Mnellor, and J. 11. Shera have been gazetted Educa. tion Reserves Commissioners for the Pr» vincial District of Auckland, the last-named taking the place of the Hon. T. Thompson. The first two named gentlemen have been le-appointed. Messrs. S. Luke and R. Ddy are also gazetted as having k been appointed by the Education Board. At the meeting of the Orphan Home Trust Board, held yesterday, the following officers were appointed for the ensuing year: — Chairman, Rev. Canon Nelson vice-chairman, Mr. T. W. Doooin; hon. treasurer, Mr. Robert Walker; hon. secretary, Mr. J. B. Gilfillan. An* of the above will be glad to receive donations in Aid of. the work of t*he institution.

The monthly nesting of/a Board, of governors, Princi Albert Cofiß> was held yesterday mornijg, Rev. jßull in the chair. Rev. H. R. Dewshff was elected bon. secretary, ad Mr. TlS.as Allen reelected hon. tresurer. /resolution of sympathy with l Mrs. /tnberton was adopted, and a cpy of sai ordered to be sent to her. To aeofc thJeeds occasioned by the increasing numbepf pupils at the college, it was deided t/engage the services of an addibnal nfeter after filling the vacancy occsionediy the lamented death of Mr. F. i Pou/erton. A hearty welcome was extidedto the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury and Mr.iami Heron upon their taking seats for thorsbjmo at this meeting of the Board. j The roll of old'ionisto Is a rapidly thinning one, and aoler jf the Duchess of Argyle passengerihj? jest passed away In the person of Mi Petar McCarthy, at the age of S6. Mr. Idjathy was a shipwright by profession worked on the Moa, brig, that wnsuilt in Mechanics'

.oa, brig, ... - — jay in the very early y». He left Auok and and went to thi'alifomia rush, anc ame back to try his-ck at the Bendigc livings in Australii Having acquired a •ompetoncc Mr. Marthy has lived in etireraent in AucP'd for many years. He is survived by I widow, who is still rery bale in spite her 77 years. They were married iu tlifld Wesloyan Church in street, ir>ie year 1852, by the Rev. H. U. LawvyHe also leaves a son and a daughter. Mr. McCarthy was interred in the Pu*a cemetery yesterday, being followed foue gravo by many old colonists.

Our Awitu respondent writes:— About a fortnigbigo rather a nasty accident happened Mr. Hugh Hamilton. He was killing bullock and the knife •lipped and r«iu o his leg, making only a ijinall wound. 01 sometime he attaohed no importance tut, but a few clays ago it was deemed aisable to call in the services of Dr. (uston. Tho leg is now progressing faarably, although Mr. Hamilton is obhd to koep to his room. Tho city watt supply is stated to be again in a moreitisfaotory condition, the level of the wabin the Western Springs reservoirs havinHsen fivo inches. Both No. 1 and 2 re'voirs, Ponsonby, which bad each about lr feet of water in them have now been ed up to 19 and 21 feet respectively. ThWestern Springs pumps, which were" only jng eight revolutions per minute, are nowile to go 12 revolutions. The well which o sunk at Edgecumbo's creek, is turninout much better than anticipated, the cput being nearly half-a-million gallons ir diom. There is no reason to doubt aat all apprehensions of scarcity of waterir the present season are now at an end.

An address w be given by Mr. John R. Mott, M.A., mend secretary of tho World"* Studos Christian Federation, in the chemical leore room of the Auckland University, at I a.m. to-morrow, on the subject, "A Mgajje from the Students of Europe and Aerica to the Students of Australasia." lahop t'owie, Primato of >.ew Zealand, »1 preside. Mr. Mott has devoted the pssaighr. years to promoting the religious rao'n)onts,among the students of Europe and Aerica, and is now making a tour among to universities throughout the world. He b had the honour of being invited on three liferent occasions to visit the universities ad colleges of England, Ireland, and Scotnd, of France, Germany, Holland, and Stndinavia, and ha has gained the higest esteem of many students and rofessors in Europe, America, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Mr. Mott has bei highly commended to the Rev. T. F. Roertson, of St. Stephen's, by University frinds in Edinburgh. At the suggestion of Ishoo Cowie, he has been asked to address ie Church Congress on the subject of " Rtigious Education," and doubtless various opportunities will be given to the generi public to hear of the great present Chritian movement in the Universities of the torld. Everywhere the class rocms of the rr st secular Colleges have been open to ir. Mott, but he prefers, after a preliminary greeting and address, to arrange for tneeings in the city, so as net to interfere in any way with the students' class • work. After this preliminary address, Mr. Mott takes the arrangement of his missions into his own hands, and finds a willing ail from the students everywhere. Other addresses will follow, such as "The Christian Movement among the Universities c>' Europe, America, and Asia," "The Word's Student Federation," "Is ChrislianiV Losing its Hold on the Students of Europe and America ?" We feel certain flat the hearty welcome given by students, professors, and by the press, in Australia aid in the other cities of New Zealand, wit' not be wanting in Auckland. Mr. Mott afivea today from the South, by way of the West Coast. Tosmanian growers of apples invariably confine themselves to a few choice varieties, those generally grown Icing Ribstone Pip pin, King of Pippins, Adams' Pearmain, Cleopatra, which they called the New York Pippin, Scarlet Nonpareil, French Crab, and Sturmer Pippin. It is quite a treat to go into an orchard of 60 to 100 acres, and find great blocks o.' uniform trees of one variety only. To this method the Tasmanians owe much of their euccess as fruitgrowers.

The fifth session of the Literary Societies' Union Parliament opens at the Young Men's Christian Association Hall on Friday evening next. Great preparations are being made for the opening ceremony, and leading citizens are to bo invited to at ten. Great satisfaction is expressed by members that the Hon. J. A. Tole has again consented to act as Speaker. A large number of members have already been returned, and several societies are electing their representatives this week. The eessio:. promises to bo an interesting one, but it is not expected there will be so many change? of ministry as there were last session, members intending to apply themselves more earnestly to debating the political questions of the day. The new Ministry, whoso policy is a progressive one, is constituted as follows:— Mr. J. W. Shackelford, Premier and Minister of Lands; Mr. R. Dunne, Colonial Socretary and Attorney-General; Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.A. Native Minister and Minister of Justice; Mr. R. H. McCallum, Postmaster General and Minister of Mines; Mr. R. Reid, Minister of Public Works and Labour. The Rev. Albert Ager will give a lecture in the Tabernacle School room to-morrow | svening on "What he saw of the battle field of Sedan, or the fall of an empire." Mr. Ager was at that time an artillery officer, and a visitor to the scene of war. Be was present at one of the sieges. The lecture includes many incidents, tragic, pathetic, and humourous. The New South Wales Acricultural Department received from Persia some cuttings of grape vines and fruit which have the peculiarity of being large and seedless. Id is believed that this grape will prove of great value for making raisins. A cutting was obtained by the Agent-General, through the Foreign Office, which communicated with the British Consul at Teheran. There is on view in the show window of •Messrs. Kidd and Wildman, booksellers, the artist's " first proof " of Gustave Gore's celebrated picture " The Slaughter of the Innocents." The engraving is executed by Louis Godfrey, and bears the signature of Dore.

The annual Shakspere night of the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Association, was held on Monday evening, when Mr. James Armstrong kindly came from Devonport and gave a critical and appreciative paper on 'Shakspere's Comedies. 1 The paper was illustrated with readings by members. The readings selected were 'Midsummer Night's Dream,'act 2, scene 1 and 2;' Much Ado About Nothing,' act 3, scene 3;and 'As You Like It,' act 2, scene 7. Mr. Armstrong was heartily thanked, and the usual genial and incUive criticisms by members followed. The meeting was an intellectual and pleaeank one.

The Committee of Management of the Young Men's Christian Association have completed the programme of the course of lectures for the approaching winter. A number of our leading citizens have consented to take part in the proceedings and to deliver lectures on various interesting subjects. The performance by Mr. Alf. Lawton's clover Variety Company ab the Opera House was witnessed by a fairly large audienco, when the programme of the previous evening was again submitted and the several items met with well deserved approval. A complete change of programme is announced for this evening, including many novel items,

In its "Horticultural Notes" the Aua tralasiaa recently observed that "purslane," or "porfculaca," is generally regarded as one of our worst weeds; its extreme succulence enables it to retain its vitality for a long time after being either hoed or forked out; the first shower of rain causes it to emit fresh roots and start into life again. It is not generally known that sheep and cows eat this plant with avidity. A correspondent living at Caulfiold draws attention to the value of this generally despised weed. His ground having become overrun with ib, he gave a little to some of his cows with a most satisfactory result, the yield of milk being increased and of a rioher nature. Mixing tbe portulaca wth cocksfoot grass, he found the latter left to the last. This was the plant which was used as spinacii by memburs of the celebrated Burke and Willis expedition, and tended largely to prolong their lives. It thrives in the poorest and sandiest of soils, and seems to prefer tho hottest of weather. It may not be worth while to cultivate this plant, but when cow feed is scarce ib should bo saved and utilised for this purpose.

A vary fair attendance witnessed last night's performance by Klaer'a Unique Circus Combination, at the Agricultural Hall, and the capital programme submitted met) with well-merited approval. This owning the company will present the first triple bill, when several now artistes, including members of Bernard's and St. Leon's combination, will appear.

The eighth of Mr. John Fuller's series of limelight concerts, entitled "An Historical and Romantic Story of the Tower of London, and a Day's Holiday at Windsor," took place at the City Hall last night, when there was present one of the largest attendances ever seen in the Hall, the building being literally packed from floor to ceiling. Tho programme opened with the overture "Zanetta," by Messrs. Walter and Bon Fuller, which was well received. Tho recitative and air, "Deeper and Deeper Still," and " Waft Her, Angels," by Mr. John Fuller, met with a decided recall, and the popular tenor's " Sally in Our Alley," also evoked marked approval, and was most emphatically re-demanded. Miss Marion Sampson soprano voice was heard to great advantage in her contribution " Waiting," to which she responded with " Mother's Darling." At a lator stage this popular artist gave a fine rendering of "Come Back to Erin," to which she had to repeatedly bow her acknowledgement:, -nd with Mr. Fuller Bang the duet, "Doubt Not," from "La Cigale." The Adelaide basso, Mr. R. H. Buttery, created a most favourable impression in his rendering of " Wrecked and Saved," and in replv to an emphatic recall gave "The Diver."' In the duet, "King of Spain," from " Maritana,' with Mr. J. Fuller, this artist was also well received, and his concluding contribution, "The Wrecker's Light," met with marked approval. Miss Kate Best's sacred song, " Thou art Passing Hence," was noted for its depth of feeling, and in reply to an encore she was well received in "My Heart is Sad." Mr. Albert Lucas' interpretation of the dramatic poem, "The Raven," scored a huge success, but unfortunately indisposition prevented his replying to a recall. " Kissing Cup's Race," by Mr. Walter Moore, also met with a hearty reception, his answer to a re-demand being the amusing sketch, entitled " The Billiard Marker."

The public hall, Onehunga, was crowded to excess on Monday evening last, when the pupils and friends of the public school produced the cantata, " Queen of the Seasons."

The piece was well staged, tree ferns, cabbago-trees, and nikau palms giving the appearance of a New Zealand gully. All the girls wore wreaths of flowers, and the dresses were appropriately trimmed. Mies Vera Moody took the part of the Queen ; Miss Suio Allan, 'Silverwing, the good fairy; Miss Nellie Taylor, as Spring; while Miss Una Farquhar, a tiny eight-year-old, in white gauze trimmed with violets, made a capital representation of tho Mower whose name she bore. The principal solos were taken by Misses Moody, Allan, Leonard, Taylor, Robb, Newman, and by Mr. Frank Rishworth and Masters Williams and Handlin. Mr. Gatland conducted.

There were four persons in the lock-up last evening on charges of drunkenness, and James Hay on a chargo of using obscene language. _^^